With Advent and the Christmas Season fast approaching, I thought I would share our Christmas book list. With the exception of two of these books (the first two in the list) we don't take them out until Christmas Eve. They are looked forward to each year by the children and read many times over during this beautiful season. You won't find any books about Santa in our collection as I don't wish anyone or anything to take the place of our beloved Lord and His Birthday.

TO THE CHILDREN

A book that tells of the Holy One,That dearest Child, the Virgin's Son,Dear Children, is the best for you;You'll tire not as you read it through.With joy you'll hear the angel's song,And join the shepherd's happy throng;Wish, with the kings, the Babe to greet,And cast your treasures at his feet.But when the noble Child you seeCompelled from Herod's wrath to flee,Your hearts are touched, and you desireTo give them to the Lord entire.You promise to forsake him neverWhose love for you endures forever.And, as to God's throne angels bearThis promise, and present it there,Your souls with heavenly love grow warm,You feel that Christ will shield from harm;A voice within you seems to say:"Dear Child, be loving, meek, and pray;Then shalt thou to the God-child come,And share with Him his blessed Home."

The first book in our collection is called, "The Miracle of Saint Nicholas," by Gloria Whelan. This book we take out on St. Nicholas' feast and read it often during the coming weeks.

The second book that comes out of our basket is, "Lucia, Saint of Light," by Katherine Bolger Hyde. This book is brought out on the Eve of St. Lucy's Feast day and read in anticipation of the festivities of the following day!

The rest of the books in our list come out on Christmas Eve after our Christmas Eve supper.

"Up the Hill," by Marguerite DeAngeli. We enjoy this book immensely as we are of Polish heritage (this mother is 1/2 polish) and many of our Feast day traditions come from that heritage. This book is not only a book for Christmas but for Easter as well for there is a story for both Holydays in it.

A tale of some of the old Polish traditions. We do keep the tradition of the straw under the tablecloth and Wigilia, however some of the traditions seem to have become superstitious, and this is something that we as Catholics must avoid.

"Silent Night, The Song and It's Story" by Margaret Hodges. Our favorite Hymn to sing on Christmas Eve, the story of it is very charming!

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Carols. You won't find any Santa, reindeer or silly songs in this book they are all about the TRUE meaning of Christmas. "A Child's Book of Christmas Carols," by Inez Bertail. Very, very beauti- fully illustrated by Masha.

One of our traditions is to use candy canes as decorations on our Christmas Tree. There are many legends of its origin; this one is our favorite. "The Legend of the Candy Cane," by Laurie Walberg

A favorite carol of my little boy, I have to sing it every so often during the year when it comes to mind. Tomie dePaola's illustra- tions really appeal to my children. "The Friendly Beasts, An old English Christmas Carol," by Tomie dePaola.

Another of Tomie's books, "The Legend of the Pointsettia" is another charming tale the children love.

There are quite a few books about the Little Drummer Boy out there. This one just happens to be our favorite. "The Little Drummer Boy," illustrated by Kristina Rodanas

"This is the Stable," by Cynthia Cotten is an enjoyable book told in rhyme. The children had this one memorized in no time and love to finish the verses as they are read.

"The Huron Carol," Illustrated by Frances Tyrell and written by one of the North American Martyrs, St. Jean de Brebeuf for his beloved Huron Indians.

St. John de Brebeuf, pray for us!

"The Twelve Days of Christmas," beautifully illustrated by Jan Brett.

Giving gifts to the Christ Child is what Christmas is all about and even the smallest of us can do it if we try.A very sweet story the little children really enjoy, even this mom loves it. "Small Camel Follows the Star," by Rachel W. N. Brown.

An adaptation of the classic story, "The Other Wise Man," retold by Pamela Kennedy. Written so that children can easily understand its meaning.

A Compilation of Prophecies and Short stories throughout the centuries concerning Christmas. "A Christmas Chronicle," by Aloysius Horn

"Good King Wenceslaus," by John M. Neale

"The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey," by Susan Wojciechowski

That concludes our list thus far. I hope I can find a few more to add to our collection. We can never have enough good books.

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